BRIDGETON — Bail was set at $200,000 Friday for a Bridgeton man indicted this week on charges that he sexually assaulted his teenage stepdaughter.

The defense attorney for Tyrone Wilson, 52, sought a reduction in bail from Superior Court Judge Darrell Fineman, contending that Wilson has maintained a stable job at a gas station and has had no prior bench warrants.

“I realize these are serious charges,” the attorney said. “However, my client would not be able to afford this bail amount. I know my request is below the guideline for this type of charge, but the amount is not realistic.”

“At this point, I do not think any reduction in bail is appropriate,” said Snock. “If bail is going to be reduced, I do not think it should be below the guidelines.”

Snock briefed the court on the alleged relationship between Wilson and his stepdaughter.

“He was indicted on Wednesday, with the most serious charge being first-degree aggravated sexual assault on his adopted step-daughter,” Snock said. “The victim disclosed that she was sexually assaulted over the course of several years. The victim is now 13 years old, but the assault began when she was 9.”

Snock stated that the mother of the victim confronted Wilson and the assaults ceased for some time. However, the mother’s illness and ultimate death caused the assaults to resume.

“The mother’s illness caused her to be hospitalized for a lengthy period of time and she wasn’t able to monitor the situation,” said Snock. “At that point, the victim became ‘available’ again and the assault continued. After the victim’s mother passed, she was put in the care of her aunt. The victim reported the incident to her aunt after she began to develop a harsh rash in her genital area, which we suspect was an STD.”

Snock also noted that the victim never had sex with any person prior to Wilson, making Wilson the likely transmitter of the disease — pending diagnosis by a medical expert.

If convicted, Wilson faces up to 12 years in prison.

Fineman expressed his personal opinion on the matter before setting Wilson’s bail.

“These charges are disturbing,” Fineman said. “The assault of a stepdaughter, her age, and the number of years the incident occurred over ... it is very serious. I understand that the defendant has no prior record, nothing in his reputation that is known about, and has stable employment. Nevertheless, I will set bail at $200,000 payable by cash or bond.”﻿